World-renowned city development speaker in Hamilton

Hamilton City Council welcomes another great mind to the city on Thursday 9 July. World-renowned city development specialist David Engwicht will be the third speaker in Council's free public series Shaping Hamilton.

Strategy and research unit manager Tegan McIntyre says, "Pru Sanderson, Phil Jones, Jaime Lerner and David Engwicht – these specialists are world renowned in the art of creative problem solving and place making. Through their experiences they have a lot to offer in helping us to understand how we can shape Hamilton intelligently, sustainably and creatively."

David Engwicht is an inventor, sculptor, street philosopher and award winning author. Considered one of the world's most innovative thinkers about cities, traffic, urban design, community development and place making, he has turned rural main streets from backwaters into vibrant city hearts and is perhaps best known as the inventor of the walking school bus, now a child safety success worldwide.

David comes to Hamilton to share his unique and ground-breaking approach which has integrated urban psychology, social programs, economic development and urban design with superb results.

The eldest son of an itinerant gospel preacher, David has spent various times in his life as a high school drop-out, freelance youth worker, furniture craftsman and window cleaner. Moving forward David counts these humble beginnings and marginal experiences as two of his greatest assets.

Over the years David's community activism has seen him springboard to into specialist enquiries about how the design of cities and towns impacts on community life. Everywhere from Idaho, to Brisbane and London, David's creative problem solving has now become a highly sought after blue print for creating liveable streets and vibrant communities.

David Engwicht will speak at a free public presentation: 5pm, Thursday 9 July in Hamilton City Council's Reception Lounge.

For more information visit: www.hamilton.co.nz/mayoralconversations